From cascading waterfalls to steep coastal cliffs, explore top trails like McWay Falls, Buzzard’s Roost, Sand Dollar Beach, and more for epic Big Sur adventures🌲🏞️
Cypress Grove Trail
One of the best hikes for sunset photography, this hike in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park highlights a dense grove of Monterey cypress trees and has beautiful coastal views.
Trail Length: Approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 km) round-trip
Elevation Gain: +300 feet (90 meters)
Expected Time: 1 to 1.5 hours
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
See MoreWhale Peak Trail
Located in Garrapata State Park, this trail has amazing wildlife-viewing. Try to spot whales, otters, sea lions, and more all along the coast! Make sure to time your visit with migration seasons for the best viewing.
Trail Length: Approximately 6.5 miles (10.5 km) round-trip
Elevation Gain: +1,800 feet (550 meters)
Expected Time: 4 to 6 hours
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
See MorePartington Cove Trail
Within Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, this trail leads to a coastline cove with blue waters. The trail is made from an old wagon road and features a tunnel through the mountain.
Trail Length: Approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 km) round-trip
Elevation Gain: +300 feet (90 meters)
Expected Time: 1 to 1.5 hours
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
See MoreMcWay Waterfall Trailhead
One of the best trails for sunrise photography, this will have you up and at 'em early! An 80-foot waterfall plunges down to the beach making for an incredible view. Do NOT head down to the beach, the cliffs surrounding are crumbling and dangerous.
Trail Length: Approximately 0.6 miles (1 km) round-trip
Elevation Gain: Minimal, about 100 feet (30 meters)
Expected Time: 30 minutes to 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy
See MoreRagged Point - Scenic View
A short, steep, cliffside trail that has the best views of Big Sur's rugged Pacific coastline. The trail has views of Black Swift Falls and the black sand beach that rims the coastline.
Trail Length: Approximately 0.8 miles (1 km) round-trip
Elevation Gain: 400 feet (120 meters)
Expected Time: 1 hour to 1.5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate.
See MoreSalmon Creek Trailhead
This short trail in Los Padres National Forest has easy access to a beautiful 120-foot cascading waterfall.
Trail Length: Approximately 0.3 miles (0.5 km) round-trip
Elevation Gain: 400 feet (120 meters)
Expected Time: 1 hour to 1.5 hours
Difficulty: Easy
See MoreSykes Hot Springs
Take the Pine Ridge Trail to Sykes Hot Springs for a backpacking trip up to some relaxing hot springs. The trail is busy, so try to go in the off season or on weekdays to avoid the crowds.
Trail Length: Approximately 19.5 miles (32 km) round-trip
Elevation Gain: 7,339 feet (2,240 meters)
Expected Time: Backpacking; 1 night
Difficulty: Strenuous
See MoreBuzzards Roost
Hike up through the redwoods of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park to this viewpoint for the best views of the surrounding Sycamore Canyon and the Santa Lucia mountains.
Trail Length: Approximately 4 miles (6.4 km) round-trip
Elevation Gain: Around 1,200 feet (370 meters)
Expected Time: 2.5 to 4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
See MoreSand Dollar Beach
For wide open sandy shores, this beach hike/walk is quite picturesque and relaxed. This is the largest beach in the Big Sur region and just an hour from downtown.
Trail Length: Approximately 0.5 miles (0.8 km) round-trip
Elevation Gain: Minimal, about 100 feet (30 meters)
Expected Time: 30 minutes to 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy
See MoreTanbark Trail
Starting from the Partington Cove Trailhead, this longer hike will take you in a loop through a variety of Big Sur ecosystems like coastal bluffs, redwood groves, forests, and more. It gives you a taste of a little bit of everything this area has to offer!
Trail Length: Approximately 6 miles (9.7 km) round-trip
Elevation Gain: Around 1,000 feet (305 meters)
Expected Time: 3 to 4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
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